Shiver(119)

A shocked silence vibrated through the room followed quickly by loud cheers and a few, about damn times. Food was forgotten as congratulations were passed around, though Fox did help himself to a roll during all the ruckus.

As the noise echoed around them, Raven leaned in close to Aidan, touching the wolf totem he hadn’t removed since she had given it back to him. She picked up the carved wolf, caressing it with her fingers. “You know the wolf symbolizes family.”

“Yes.” Words were suddenly difficult for him to utter. This woman was his mate, these people his pack. Aidan leaned over and gently kissed his Raven. “Wolves also mate for life.”

Raven smiled and shook her head. “Spirit wolves mate forever.”

THE END





DEATH CACHE: A PREVIEW

Tiffinie Helmer

Coming November 2013





THE INVITATION

By Special Invitation Only

1st Annual Extreme Geocaching Competition

June 7th – 14th

Time & Place: 8:00 a.m. N64° 49.098’, W147° 55.0349’





Lodging: Rustic cabins on a pristine glacial-fed lake.

What to bring: Pack for survival in Alaska’s Extreme Backcountry.

Do you dare to be the best?





CHAPTER ONE

“Well, hell. I’ve slept with everyone here.” Tern Maiski’s gaze swept the airplane hangar. All her exes stood next to the Cessna, chatting it up, and outfitted like they were headed on the same geocaching trek she was.

“Except you refused to put out for me when I wanted to experiment in college.” Nadia Hanson, best friend extraordinaire, came to a stop next to her, giving a slow whistle at the impressive line-up of testosterone. “Damn, girl. Remind me again why you let these guys go.”

All eyes turned their direction. The men stood in a row like a reception line from hell.

Tern tightened her hold on the strap of her backpack. She had no problem meeting each of the men’s stares. Except Gage Fallon’s. The bastard had walked out on her without a word six months ago. Not an email or lousy text message to explain the hard dumping he’d given her. “I should tuck tail and run right now,” Tern murmured.

“And let these guys prove that they’re better at geocaching than you? You’re the one who introduced them to it,” Nadia pointed out, knowing it would put her back up.

Sure enough, Tern straightened her shoulders and sauntered forward with a walk that was part take-no-prisoners and part promise-to-rock-your-world.

She greeted Addison ‘Mac’ MacFearson, fifty-two, with a hug and a kiss on his leathered cheek. He was a rugged Alaskan bush guide with a ‘No Crybabies Allowed’ attitude, and she hadn’t seen him in a few months. He released her from the bear hug and cocked a knowing smile. “You’re in for a trial here, sweet cakes.”

Lucky Leroy Morgan, world famous mountain climber, stood next to Mac and winked, his come-hither smile tempting Tern to sidle a little closer.

Man, he’d been fun.

“I thought you were in Africa,” she said, staying just out of reach. A lot of good that did, as he took a step forward and grabbed her into a swinging clench.

“I was, until this little adventure presented itself. Damn, but it’s good to see you.” He followed the swing with a dip and planted a searing kiss on her lips. When he’d righted her, she was dizzy, flushed, and half tempted to follow up on that kiss. But she knew better.

Lucky Leroy was a gambler, not only with his money but his life. He’d climbed Everest and Denali twice—the second time in the dead of winter. There wasn’t anything he wasn’t willing to try at least once. It hadn’t taken her long to know that he was the kind of man she couldn’t trust with the grocery money, let alone with her heart. He sure as hell had been a lot of fun, though. Even though she’d ended their relationship, he still looked her up whenever he was in the hemisphere.

“I stopped by the shop last night, but they said you were in Chatanika visiting your family,” Lucky said. “Seems lately every time I look you up, you’re busy.”

“Thought I was waiting around pining for you?”

His hand covered his heart and his bedroom eyes warmed. “A guy can hope.”

She introduced him to Nadia, and those eyes heated further in appreciation for her best friend. Another reason she’d cut Lucky loose. The man had a weakness for the ladies, and she didn’t share. Period.

Robert Coate was next. He solemnly nodded his head. “Tern,” he greeted. His gaze still had the power to nick her heart when she looked directly at him. She’d broken his and the guilt of it weighed heavily on her shoulders.

A business owner of a sporting goods store just down the street from her own shop, The Arctic Tern, Robert had made the most sense in her husband search. He also understood the Native Alaskan in her as he was part Athabascan himself. He was involved in the community, regularly attended church, loved dogs, and was a single parent in need of a mother for his beautiful six-year-old daughter, Chloe, who Tern adored. He was about as close to Mr. Good Enough as she’d found. But no matter how ideal he seemed, she couldn’t get past their lack of physical chemistry. And to be honest, she didn’t want to be known as Mrs. Tern Coate.